On a lighter note today, I just have to share something I tried today.

A few months ago, I snagged a pair of wooden knitting needles–CHEAP!–at an antique shop.

I was thrilled–until I picked a pair to work with a few days ago, and discovered one needle had a chunk missing on its tip. The split-off piece was almost an inch long–yikes!

I wish I’d taken a picture of it, because I had a brainstorm today.

I reshaped the tip–with my electric pencil sharpener!

It worked like a dream. Of course, the tip came out needle-sharp. Fortunately, I have lots of sandpaper on hand, in lots of grits. (I do a lot of sanding with my polymer clay work.) I managed to smooth off the re-cut, and round off the tip nicely. To keep everything even, I did the same to the other needle.

I’ll probably apply a very light coat of tung oil to seal the wood, too.

Haven’t tried them yet, but no reason why this shouldn’t work, right?

I’ll let you know!

P.S. I don’t know if this would work (ha ha! a pun!) with bamboo needles, but if you have a pair that’s already unusable, maybe it’s worth a try.

Mine are plastic, so I’d hate to think what would happen if I tried that…

I love the idea though. :) I have a soft spot for ingenious problem-solving involving crafts. One of my favorites is using sticker printer paper to make fabric paint stencils for t-shirts. I have two beautiful shirts so far, and I’m working on a third.

Yes, Leanne…
The electric pencil sharpener and sandpaper are some of my favorite tools too! I was making some hair sticks (with polymer ends) and used a pencil sharpener and sandpaper on a dowel for the stick part. After that I antiqued it and put the polymer bead on and was very pleased with the results.
So good on ya for salvaging the knitting needle…get the point???

I have made myself sets of double pointed needles out of wooden dowels doing just that. When I was at college and wanted to knit, it only took a bit of time in the library where the electric pencil sharpener was, and a bit of time with sandpaper, and I was good to go. It would be fun to do the same with some of the “fancy” wooden dowels that are available like walnut or maple…

I've learned a lot in the process of making my art and getting it out into the world. I share what I've learned so maybe you don't have to learn everything the hard way. (But sometimes you do anyway...)

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I make wall hangings, sculptures and jewelry inspired by prehistoric, tribal and world art. I tell stories with my art, stories to honor and encourage others who are making their own place in the world.

I believe using our creativity makes the world a better place for everyone. I believe everyone can participate in that process. I contribute as an artist and a writer. And maybe other ways I don't know about yet.

I write about how being a late-bloomer, a mother (of twenty-somethings. When did THAT happen??), a martial artist, a horse rider, a climber and a writer, have all made me a better artist.

And....vice versa.

I wrote CARVING RUBBER STAMPS for Lark Books. I wrote a regular column for CraftsBusiness Magazine (til it went out of business, and no, that wasn't my fault.) Now I write a regular column Craft Matters for The Crafts Report magazine.